Improvement in seed-planters



2 Sheets-Sheet 1.

E. MYERS.

Grain-Drill.

Patented June 19. 1849 AM. PHDTO LITHD. CO. N.Y. (OSBORNE'S PROCESS) 2Sheets-Sheet 2.

E. MYERS.

Grain-DrilL Patehted June 19. 1849,

AM. PHOTO-LITHU. 60. NY. (OSBORLE'S PRCCESS.)

UNITED STATES ATENT Fries.

IMPROVEMENT IN SEED-PLANTERS.

Specification forming part of Letters Patent No. 6,542, dated June 19,1849.

To all whom it may concern.-

Be it known that I, EMANUEL MYERS, of Union Mills, in the county ofCarroll and State of Maryland, have inventedcertain new and usefulImprovements in Corn-Planters and Seed-Drills, of which the following isa full and exact description, reference being had to the annexeddrawings of the same, making part of this specification, in which-Figure 1 is a top view of the apparatus used as a corn-planter, thehopper and distributer for small seeds, with their appendages, beingdetached. Fig. 2 is an end elevation of the same, viewed from behind.Fig. 3 is a horizontal section taken through the line a: a: of Fig. 2.Fig. 4 is an elevation of the rear end of the apparatus properlyadjusted tbr sowing grain in drills, the corn-plantin g apparatus beingdetached. Fig. 5 is the same view as the last, but with the hingedconducting-tubes turned up. Fig. 6 is a vertical longitudinal sectionthrough the line 0 0 of Fig. 4.

The same letters indicate the same parts in all the figures.

In the accompanying drawings, A represents the frame and B the wheels,of a cultivator or drill, which may be made and arranged as representedor in any of the usual modes.

To the beam a the front ends of the beam 0 are attached, each by anindependent hinge, which admits of its rear end moving up and downwithin the limits of the slot or opening in the rack b, in which it isplaced. Upon the upper side of each beam a spring, 0, is placed for thepurpose of forcing it down quickly after being raised by any obstructionwhich the teeth may encounter. In this way the furrows are made veryuniform in their depth, and are but little broken. To the rear end ofthe beams the teeth are suspended on joint-pins, which leave their lowerends free to move laterally. The teeth are strengthened bybrace-rods,which extend from about the middle of their front side to theunder side of the beams, to which they are jointed, in order that theymay accommodate themselves to the movements of the teeth. Each side ofthe teeth is braced to the beam by helical or other springs, an,arranged as in Fig. 4. These springs hold the teeth in a verticalposition while performing their ordinary duty; but if the path of any ofthem should be obstructed by a stone or stump,

the springs would yield and let it pass to one side, but, when past,would immediately draw it again into the proper'position. In this mannerthe teeth would pass obstructions without detriment when a fixed toothwould get broken. The throwing out of place of the whole machine, which,with the ordinary drill, is a common occurrence, and, indeed, alwayshappens when any of the teeth strike a rock or stump obliquely at suchan angle as will cause them to glance ofl, is also avoided by thisarrangement.

Upon the revolving axis of the wheels a pinion, E, is mounted, whichgears into the horizontal wheel F, hanging on the vertical shaft G, onthe top of which is placed a revolving disk, H, for dropping the corn atintervals suitable to form hills. This disk is perforated bya suitablenumber of holes, h, each of which is provided with a hingedspring-bottom for closing it, having a projecting arm, which at suitableintervals duringits revolution catches against a stop and opens it todrop out its charge of corn, and this is immediately closed" again bythe action of the spring.

I I are hoppers to containa supply of corn, and are so arranged abovethe disk that the apertures h in the same will as they revolve passbeneath them and receive a charge of corn,which at the proper time isdischarged into the tubes J and passes through the teeth into the drill.

The pinion K is mounted upon the axle between the frame A and wheel B,and gears into the wheel L, which hangs on the end of the axis of thecupped cylinder O,which discharges small seeds from the hopper M intothe tubes N, which conduct it through the teeth into the drills. Thehopper is subdivided into several compartments in order that an equaldistribution of the seed may be more easily maintained.

The rear or side of the hopper next the distributing-cylinder isprovided with a series of sliding registers to regulate the discharge ofgrain.

The discharging-pipes are all connected together and hinged to thehopper, so that they may be raised up and turned over on theirhingesuntiloutot'the way. Thisarrangement enables the attendant at alltimes to obtain free access to the cylinder to remove any obstructionthat may by accident be lodged therein, and the cover on its upper sideserves to keep out rain and dew, which by dampening it might cause it torust and become clogged.

When the apparatus for sowing grain is used the hoppers I, disk H, andtubes J are removed, and vice Versa when the corn-plan ter is inoperation.

This machine may be used as a cultivator, either with or withouttheapparatus for sowing.

The general arrangement may be such as is herein set forth, or any othersubstantially similar and that may, in the opinion of the constructer,be more suitable.

Having thus described the construction and operation of my improvedseed-drill and planting-machine, what I claim therein as new, and desireto secure by Letters Patent, is-

The combination of the teeth 2, hinged at 3 on joint-pins, with thebeams O and springs 00, substantially as described, whereby any of theteeth may turn aside or rise over stones and other common obstructionswhich they may meet, thus greatly diminishing the danger of being brokenand of throwing the machine out of its track.

In testimony whereof I. have hereunto subitsniied my name this 30th dayof September,

EMANUEL MYERS.

Witnesses:

S. M. W001), I. H. WATsoN.

